Our philosophy
At Elonera, childhood is honoured through play, relationships and a deep connection to people, place and community. Our community gathers on Boon Wurrung Country. We acknowledge and learn from Aboriginal perspectives, building respect for Country, culture and history.
At Elonera, we are committed to offering rich play-based learning that supports every child to thrive.
We see children as capable and competent learners. Each child is respected as a unique individual, with the right to belong, to be heard and to grow into confident and thoughtful members of our community.
Relationships are at the heart of our work. We build safe, respectful and collaborative partnerships with children, families and each other. We value kindness, respect, honesty and inclusion, and these values guide how we interact, learn and grow together.
We support every child to develop a strong sense of wellbeing and belonging. The connections between children, families and the wider community are recognised, strengthened and celebrated.
Our curriculum is play based, intentional and responsive. It is shaped by children’s ideas, interests and experiences, and strengthened through inquiry, reflection and collaboration.
We value learning through connection with nature. Through our Bush Kinder program and outdoor environments, children develop a sense of wonder, responsibility and care for the natural world.
We create opportunities for children to express themselves in many ways. Our learning environments are thoughtfully designed to invite exploration, creativity, risk taking and sustained shared thinking, as we believe children deserve beautiful, engaging spaces in which to learn and grow.
Our educators are reflective, intentional and committed to ongoing learning. We lead together, drawing on each other’s strengths, and continuously grow our practice through research, collaboration and professional learning.
We are advocates for children, families and the early childhood education profession. We are committed to equity, inclusion, ethical practice and social justice.
We are a connected community. Educators and our Committee of Management work in partnership to ensure a strong, sustainable and responsive kindergarten. Every member is valued, and together we create a culture of trust, respect and collaboration.
Our philosophy reflects what our families told us matters most; kindness, respect, honesty, inclusion and a strong sense of community.
Children
We advocate, respect and promote children’s rights. We believe that each child is a competent and capable learner with the right to be respected as a unique individual.
Children as citizens are supported in developing a sense of well-being to be and become confident, secure and thoughtful members of our learning community.
Each child supported to have a strong sense of belonging. They are an integral part of our community and the connections between the children, their families and the wider community is recognised, celebrated, strengthened and promoted.
Families
We develop respectful and collaborative relationships with all families so they feel valued and engaged in shared decision making to support their child’s learning.
We strive to promote our families values of kindness, respect, honesty and inclusivity.
We strive to advocate for families from diverse and complex family situations to access community services, resources, programs and to work within the child protection laws and responsibilities.
Curriculum
We facilitate each child’s learning through play-based approach, informed by contemporary theories and theorists, that is holistic in incorporating their physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual well-being.
Our curriculum is informed by our practitioner research projects, contemporary research, as well as collaboration with various professionals and continuing partnership with communities.
We facilitate learning opportunities that reflect on children’s ideas, interests, and personal experiences to foster their skills in becoming lifelong learners.
Our curriculum will offer opportunities for children to express themselves using their ‘hundred languages’
Learning spaces are designed and set-up thoughtfully to scaffold children’s learning, presenting opportunities for sustained shared thinking and collaborative learning.
Our outdoor learning environment fosters an appreciation and connection with nature as a basis for sustained environmental care and awareness.
Our curriculum promotes children’s spontaneity, risk taking, and stimulates exploration, research and construction of theories to understand our world.
Educators
Create and maintain safe and nurturing environments where children feel respected while being provided the time and opportunity to develop their sense of identity.
Engage in critical reflection and ongoing professional learning to review the quality of teaching and learning strategies and are committed to continuous improvement. Educators are life-long learners alongside children, families and colleagues. Demonstrate intentional teaching practices that are, thoughtful and purposeful in building the children’s foundations for successful learning. Advocate early childhood education and the provision of high-quality education and care.
We maintain a culture of ethical practice and in pursuit of social justice and equity. Educators use the practice principles of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, National Quality Standards and are informed by contemporary research and collaboration with various stakeholders to underpin practice and curriculum.
Community
We strive to create a connected community where every member of the kindergarten feels respected, included and valued.
We endeavour to demonstrate respect for all cultures of the Kindergarten community while acknowledging our First Nation People, we seek to collaborate with leaders and cultural groups in the community to increase our knowledge and understanding.
We strive to demonstrate a commitment to promoting the value and contribution of our Kindergarten within the wider community.
Committee of Management
Engage with all stakeholders to ensure the guiding principles and values of the Kindergarten, and its daily operations are ethical, responsible while setting clear directions for the effective operation of a quality service.
Elonera prides itself on the positive working relationship between educators and the committee of management. Every effort is made for open and ongoing communication, where a culture of respect creates an environment of trust and collaboration.